Graduate Program

Kinesiology and Sports Studies

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2010

Thesis Director

Phyllis Croisant

Thesis Committee Member

John Emmett

Thesis Committee Member

Brian Pritschet

Abstract

Previous studies have suggested that ratings of perceived exertion· (RPE) may be influenced by the frequency of measurement interval during both sub-maximal and maximal exercise testing. The purpose of this study was to further examine the effect of inquiry frequency on perceived exertion during sub-maximal treadmill testing. Twelve recreationally trained female college students completed one of two graded treadmill tests with a crossover design for the other protocol on a nonconsecutive day. During one trial, RPE and heart rate (HR) were recorded at the end of each three-minute stage. During the other trial, RPE and HR were monitored three times per stage, at the end of each minute. A two-way MANOV A, with repeated measures for both test condition and test stage, was used to determine if there were significant differences in HRs or RPEs at each stage with more frequent inquiries. No significant differences were observed in HR (F=0.163, df-=1, p=.694). Although not statistically significant in this study, RPEs were somewhat higher at each stage (F=2.384, df-=1, p=.151). Further examination oftest order revealed lower RPEs were given during the second test, regardless of the frequency of measurement interval. Analysis determined these differences approached statistical significance (F=3.945, df-=1, p=.072), suggesting order effect may have contributed to higher RPEs. It is possible the participants reported higher RPE levels during the first test as a result of their anxiety. Increased familiarization with the test protocol may have contributed to the lower perceived exertion during the second test. From the results of this study it was concluded that increased frequency of measurement interval did not significantly influence RPE during sub-maximal treadmill testing in this study of college females.

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